Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 26, 2020 2:25:30 GMT
Kendry leaned lazily against his hand, staring at Finn from behind the dark strands of hair that had fallen in his face, his smile sly. He could tell that this pirate was fed up with him, but it's not like he had any leverage over the sassy captain anymore. "Finn," he hummed, closing his eyes. "I like it. It sounds...friendly."
Just minutes before, he was keen on poking at Finn's panic, but Kendry began to recognize the contradicting shift in his own behavior. He didn't like the thought of any other mercenaries capturing this fox - it was very obvious that Finn was meant to be free. The least he could do was help the man for putting up with his cruel teasing...
"Ahhh, well, I suppose you can't just return it with an apology," he sighed, eyes still closed. Ideas were written in blood for Kendry to follow - he never got to make them. "If you absolutely must be the one to put it back eggs-actly where you snatched it... I don't mind causing some sort of distraction..." If he were needed to act as bait, he could think of a few of those hired men that he'd like to give a "hug" to.
Then his eyes opened to meet Finn's. "Though, even if you return it... don't you think they'd still want to apprehend you?" His gaze was serious for a moment, then he stuck his tongue out jokingly. "Well, you can hire me to protect you after, eh?"
"I'm a friendly fellow," the Captain remarked. He was, after all. He'd met some hard-ass Pirates in his time. Heck, he could point out a few in this very room that would slit your throat just for looking at them the wrong way. That is- if they wouldn't get their head bashed in by Lavinia for doing it in here. Gods save the man who tried to stain her floorboards with a drop of blood. She'd likely take them out back and skin their hide. Thankfully, he was not one of those aforementioned Pirates. He wasn't in this life because he liked hurting others, he was in it because he liked to live. Truly live.
"Hah- I like you, Kendry," he chuckled at the pun. Man after his own heart with gods-awful jokes like that. Finn had thought about the whole idea of them still wanting his neck. He'd be a wanted man for a time, for sure. Well- it wasn't like he hadn't already seen his face brightening up the side of a building with a decent bounty on it. Pirate's prerogative, after all. "True enough," he agreed, "Though I imagine the hassle is far more likely to die down with the egg back where it belongs rather than if I keep the thing. A few men keeping an eye out for me, I can handle, but an army of men actively tracking me- that's a bit more of a threat." Swirling the cup in his hand, thoughtfully. That was the general idea anyways. "I've got the coin," he assured the mercenary, grinning at him. He'd certainly pay for his help, here. He loved treasure, but he hated owing a debt of honor. The idea of hiring him, though- "How about, before we go tossing around job offers, we just see how well you can keep me alive while I pop the egg back," Finneas stated, though his grin said he felt the lad had promise in that department. Though- he hoped it wasn't just a lot of confidence masking an inability to actually get the job done. They would see.
"Welp- shall we get heading that way, then?" Finishing off his drink before shooting a look at Emerson. "You should stay here Ems- We're both wanted by these guys and one of us is going to be hard enough to keep out of sight." "No arguments 'ere," Emry agreed, raising his drink in a farewell bid of 'good luck'. Besides, he enjoyed the view, casting a glance towards the tavern's owner.
"All Sins can be forgiven when somebody loves you"
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 26, 2020 5:18:21 GMT
I like you...
Kendry scoffed, flicking his hair from his eyes. “You're a fickle one, aren't you?” He stood from his seat, removing his coin purse from the belt hooked loosely around his waist, shaking it over the tabletop to empty it of the last two coins. He glanced over to the man that was addressed as Ems, quickly adding the older man's face to his memory.
“Mm, so how do you want me to approach – as a fellow mercenary or as your partner in crime?” he asked Finn, shoving his hands into the pockets of his coat and turning toward the door. “I am not concerned about my name becoming tarnished. Mercenaries can be hired by anyone, even a pirate.”
He hesitated, turning to analyze Finn. Quick to anger, but not to violence, don't forget that about him.He expects my protection, which means I may have to...
“Should anyone target you with any form of violence, I will not hesitate to eliminate them.” He offered a crooked smile and a shrug. “But I'm sure you understand that already. You don't live in luxury like a noble – you have to kill to survive.”
Somehow, Kendry doubted Finn's ability to take a life unless absolutely necessary.
Finn couldn't argue that. He'd always been a fickle one. It was simply his way. "He reserved the right to change his mind at the drop of a coin," so to speak. All he could do was offer Kendry a little shrug and a smirk, flipping a few coins from his own stache onto the tabletop. Lavinia had, rather demanded, he tip her girls, he supposed he owed her, and her maids, that much for all the times she'd covered his ass while running from men who wanted to keelhaul him through shark infested waters. Had that been all the coin, Kendry had? He'd shaken out his purse onto the table making it sure seem that way. Yea, he'd have to give the guy a good handful of coin for this favor. Man, greed and a touch of bleeding-heart did not agree with each other. Grimacing at the thought as he ran his hand through his hair. He'd leave his coat and hat with Emerson for now, it'd be easier to move without them, and easier to not stand out quite so much, considering he'd been wearing those flashy items when he'd robbed the place to begin with.
"Perhaps you could play the mercenary, tell them you've spotted me somewhere?" Finn suggested, adjusting the cuffs of his dark shirt. "If we can get most of them to head away from the household, it might thin out the guys I've gotta sneak around on the inside? Leaving you to play the lookout. Whistle if they start heading back our way?" It was a plan, not entirely sure if it was a good one, but it was better than trying to climb through the place entirely on his own. If Kendry had a better way of handling this, now was the time to let the Pirate know, as Finn cracked the tavern door open, glancing out it to be sure none of the men who'd been hunting him earlier were out there. "Seems clear, for now. Shall we be off?" Flourishing his hand through the doorway in an 'after you' sort of gesture.
"All Sins can be forgiven when somebody loves you"
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 26, 2020 6:09:11 GMT
Kendry nodded his approval of the good-enough plan, stepping past Finn and into the sunlight. He scanned the scenery slowly, looking to see if there was anyone that he recognized lurking about. Deciding that they were out of harm's way – for now – he removed his coat, tossing it onto a nearby crate, and turned to face the pirate, arms outstretched as if he were asking for an embrace.
“Rough me up a bit, would you? It will be more convincing if I don't do it myself.” An impish smirk stretched wide across his face as he dared Finn to play along. “Besides that, you looked to want to leap right over that table at me...”
Knowing that the Dread Wolf might refuse to partake, he dared to play on his ego, adding, “Ohhh ~ He was just too swift and quick witted ~” He put the back of one hand against his forehead, buckling at the knees slightly for added effect. “Damn that beautiful bastard ~ Outdone me in looks and in smarts...” His hands moved to cup his face, giving Finn a look that screamed “love-struck girl.”
Rough him up? Yea, he could do that...couldn't he? He'd been in a fight before. Just, wasn't usually the guy who threw the first punch, however. Though- he had been punched first more times than he could remember. Honestly might have sustained some minor-....serious brain damage, by this point. "Alright," he spoke up, rather unconvincingly so, curling fists that he gave a quick look to. Some of those rings would probably leave some decent bruising and a split lip with a well landed punch. He could do this. He could so do this. Just let the temper take over, let the wolf out a bit. Don't hold it back.
He took a deep breath, aiming to steel his nerves, feeling awful weird about punching a man who was helping him, but then the taunting started and his expression changed from one of indecision to one of sheer un-amusement. It was enough for the beast inside him to rear its head, his jaw clenching as something inhuman flickered behind his eyes. Teeth barred in a snarl, his arm pulling back with tensed muscles, doing his best to not allow the animal out so far as to throw the full, enhanced strength of the monster's curse behind his swing. But, perhaps, he had given in to it a little too much once he realized just how fast his arm had shot forward to strike Kendry right in his mockingly smug face. His eyes changing from sheer aggression to regret only after the punch had been thrown. Shit-... He hadn't meant to get so angry. Bloody wolf's temper!
"All Sins can be forgiven when somebody loves you"
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 26, 2020 6:49:23 GMT
Kendry, haven taken the full brunt of the mighty punch, was sent spinning so quickly to the ground that he hadn't the time to steady his fall. It took him a moment to recover, finding it difficult to even push himself up onto his elbows. He spat, blood spattering onto the ground, followed by more of it draining from his nose. Groaning, he tried to stand, wavering dizzily in the attempt.
“Now that... That was a punch!” He stumbled and caught himself on the crate where he had tossed his coat, his face from the nose down covered in crimson. A scrape from hitting the ground bled from his forehead. “I...don't think...you need...anyone...protecting you...” he gasped.
His other hand patted around his forehead to assess the damage, making him flinch slightly when his fingers brushed over the wound. “Yeah, I think this is convincing enough... Could have made it last longer, but I am huffing...” He gathered up his coat, having a rather difficult time finding the holes for his arms to fit through.
“Just give me a second, then we'll go...” He drew in a deep breath, still balanced against the crate which creaked under his unbalanced weight. Peeking at Finn with one eye open, he frowned, noticing the look in the pirate's eyes. “Oh, stop it... Seems you needed to beat up on someone, hm?"
Shit-...shit shit shit. The poor lad had gone flying to the ground. "Sorry- bloody hell- I am so sorry-" He cringed, watching Kendry pull himself to his feet and wipe at the blood on his face. His own hand throbbed a bit from the hit, shaking it out, but he was pretty sure he was better off than the other guy at this very moment. This was exactly why he could never let his temper get the better of him. He'd become a pro at bottling up that sort of rage and here he'd only popped the lid of it. He hate to think what could happen if he opened that container all the way-- well, no- he knew exactly what could happen. The wolf had killed people, after all.
Kendry didn't even seem all that bothered by it. Hell, he actually seemed- impressed? Man this guy was a weird one. "Ah...yea, I suppose so," Finn agreed, rubbing at the back of his neck, still feeling rather guilty about the whole thing. It just wasn't him to enjoy causing pain, but, he couldn't lie. A piece of him, even if it was just a tiny piece, felt a little less tense after having let out even a small bit of his aggression. He knew it was a were's nature to have a temper, but it wasn't his. It scared him a bit, that piece that felt good about it. "You alright there, mate?" he questioned, hovering over the other, unsure if he should help him to steady himself or if touching him was simply a bad idea, so his hand rested somewhere in the air between them with concern. "You- need a minute before we head down the street?" pointing the way they needed to go. He- probably owed 'Riptide' here another round of drinks after this.
"All Sins can be forgiven when somebody loves you"
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 26, 2020 7:29:39 GMT
Noticing the hand that was hovering between them, Kendry gave Finn a thankful grin and a wink. “I'm alright,” he answered, shakily standing on his own, thinking it best not to touch the other man. “Are you alright? Apologizing over this, and all... You'll make me feel bad.”
Once he was certain that the bleeding from his nose had slowed enough, he began to walk in the direction that Finn was pointing. “Come on, then. Let's get this egg business done and over medium with...” He grimaced at his own horribly failed pun. “Sorry, that was awful.”
His inky eyes were watchful as he kept in pace with Finn, ignoring the stares he was getting by anyone that saw his bruised and bloody face. Stepping on the toes of other mercenaries wasn't uncommon, and if there was any brotherhood to be found in the unscrupulous business, Kendry hadn't come across it yet. His solemn gaze fell to the heels of the boots he followed. For him, loneliness was ever apparent, but for Finn...
Finn's personality seemed so endearing so long as you didn't steal his stolen goods or tease him when he seemed fearful for his life. Kendry guessed that he was well-liked, despite his pirate status in society. He was even finding a way to get along with the bloodied mercenary who had had such cruel intentions when they met.
Kendry lifted an arm to his face, rubbing his tired eyes with the sleeve of his coat.
Finn had assured the mercenary that he was fine before they'd made for the Russian nobleman's estate, eyes locking on to the duo that seemed a rather odd pair, indeed- granted most of that stemmed from the fact that one looked perfectly fine and the other was dealing with a bloodied nose and some bruising about his face. Though, the stares did nothing to calm Finn's nerves as he looked over every single person they passed for any signs that he was recognized as a 'wanted man', but most seemed to preoccupied looking Kendry over and wondering what had happened to him. Perhaps there was more use to the punch to the face than just using it to add up a story for the guardsmen. "That was worse than one of my drunken pick-up lines," Finn laughed aloud, unable to believe a guy like Kendry seemed to constantly make such terrible puns. He absolutely loved it.
The estate was large, no palace but Finn could spy the balcony he'd scaled to get up to the second floor the first time. He was rather good at climbing, but then- most skilled pirates were, given the amount of times that had to scale masts and patch sails on the go. He just happened to abuse that skill, from time to time. Noting a couple guard's posted out front, Finn stopped dead, recognizing at least one of the pair from among the group that had chased him through the streets of the market. "Here-" he whispered, pulling Kendry by his arm into a small alley beside the building. "Those guys out front...one of them, at least, certainly caught sight of me earlier," Finn explained, chancing another look around at the estate to see if he could spot any more. If there were, they must mostly be inside, but he couldn't see more than the two at the front. Probably some out back, as well, though. He didn't know for certain, but- being a betting man- he would place money on one stationed upstairs by the display case. That one, he was sure he'd have to manage on his own, but getting up there would be impossible right now in broad daylight, now that there were men right out front, without Kendry to keep their eyes off the pillar Finn would need to climb. He pointed his route out to his companion, up the pillar and along the balcony's railing to the ledge of the window he needed to get to, just so the guy had an idea of where he needed people to NOT look for a good moment.
"You ready?" he whispered to the other, rolling his sleeves up and checking to affirm the egg was still in his pocket. Safe and secure.
"All Sins can be forgiven when somebody loves you"
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 26, 2020 8:29:17 GMT
Kendry peeked out at the estate from the alley, his eyes following the path that Finn's finger trailed, then back along the pirate's arm to meet his eyes. He said nothing, but the sternness in his stare was telling Finn to be careful. A nod, a breath, and he got into position, staggering into view of the mercenaries, one hand pressed to his head. Peeking through his fingers, he closely examined the man that Finn had pointed out. The other he recognized from the commotion earlier in the day, when word about the stolen egg was spreading.
“Oi, lads! Can I get a hand?” Kendry rasped as he approached, feebly waving his free hand. “Riptide,” he addressed himself.
The larger of the two – the one that had recognized Finn – stayed put, but his eyes were set on Kendry. The smaller of the two was quick to rush to the bleeding man's side. “Hey, Tide! What the hell happened?” He took one of Kendry's arms around his shoulders, leading him toward the estate.
“Heard about that dumb egg, thought I saw a guy matching the description.” Kendry looked up to the larger mercenary. “Was him, in fact, flashing the thing he stole like an idiot, showing it off to his comrades. I managed to -”
He was cut off abruptly by a punch in the gut from the burly mercenary, the other that was helping Kendry walk barked in protest, but was ignored.
“Idiot! Ya should'a come for backup, not take 'im on by yerself!” Another punch. “Egg is probably lost fer good now thanks to you!” Another. “Was none of yer concern to begin with, vulture!” It quickly became obvious that the violent man was in a great deal of trouble with whoever had hired him.
The punches had knocked the air out of Kendry, and his weight bore down on the mercenary at his side. “I...thought I had the upper hand...” he gasped.
He had their attention, exactly what he needed, and he intended to keep it.
Kendry spat blood on the boot of the mercenary that had hit him. “At least I went and did something about it. Look at you here, staying where it's safest, cowardly goon.”
The hands that clasped about his neck assured him that all eyes present were on him.
Finn watched Kendry take the scene with rapt attention, waiting a moment before peering after him to keep himself from getting spotted even peeking out. Seemed as if the smaller merc at least knew Kendry to some extent, Finn was almost hopeful that it wouldn't be too much of a hassle for him to distract the guards for a minute as he watched him help Kendry make his way over to the entrance. However, those dreams were soon dashed when the bigger one, who'd taken after Finn and Emry earlier, started wailing away on his newfound companion and Finn could feel that familiar heat rise up in his chest. Oh how he wanted to come flying out of the shadows at that big oaf and beat him bloody, but he knew he couldn't. More guards would follow if he did that and then he and Kendry would really be screwed. Still- it didn't stop him from nearly seeing red. Focus, Finn. He had to remind himself. He couldn't allow himself to be distracted, not now. The faster he got this over with the faster Kendry could get out of dodge. When he started strangling Ken, however, Finn felt a growl form in his throat, shoving it down and harnessing his anger deep inside himself, as he had done many times before. Shut it off. His mantra. Turning off his feelings if only to let him get the job done. Kendry had done his part, no one around them was looking anywhere where Finn needed to go.
The Pirate crouched low to the ground, pushing off with his legs in a run only slowed by his attempt to keep his footfalls from making too much noise, leaping at the pillar and grabbing onto the seemingly smooth surface, his legs wrapped around the post shifting his weight to push himself upwards and grasp the edge of the balcony. The nimble Pirate Captain lifted up to the outside of the railing, crouching down against it to limit detection by any men within the balcony's door and shimmied over to the window he needed, peering through to be sure he wouldn't be spotted right away. There was a single man within. He'd been right on the money with that one. He stood directly in front of the case Finn needed to get to, however, facing sideways from the window. Good... He could at least work with that. Slowly he pushed the paneled glass of the window inwards, carefully swinging it on its hinges to avoid making a squeak, only opening it far enough for him to draw a small gemstone from the bag that hung from his waist. Damn, he really like this little emerald. He supposed he could always find another one, though. This was more important. There was an inexpensive looking vase, he could see it just outside the room near the main staircase from the angle he had, carefully aiming at it and flicking the stone so the thing teetered off the railing and crashed to the floor below. It was enough to get the guard to wander from his post, if only to glance over the edge and see what had caused the noise. At least a few valuable seconds. It was all Finn would need.
"All Sins can be forgiven when somebody loves you"
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 26, 2020 16:12:55 GMT
The smaller mercenary was grabbing at the other's large arms, trying to convince him to release Kendry, but again he was ignored. The larger clung to Ken's neck like a hawk seizing a mouse, and his prey's nails dug feebly into his skin where the talons remained clenched.
When he was unsure of how much more he could handle, Kendry caught the nimble form of Finn scaling the pillar without at problem, just outside of his blackening vision. He grit his teeth, refocusing on his own situation now.
“N-ne-ver...” It was all he could muster, something in his eyes flickering.
Never will you catch sight of him again.
Summoning the last of his strength, he lifted a boot and kicked the smaller merc away from the kerfuffle, creating an imbalance before planting his foot back down and pushing his weight forward as hard as possible, both hands flying from the wrists of his abuser and clapping onto his temples, knuckles white with how mercilessly he clung. It was done in a matter of seconds, in a flash, and the hawk fell dead with an ungraceful thud at the feet of the mouse.
Before allowing himself to catch his breath, Kendry dashed into the smaller mercenary, headbutting him so hard that he lost consciousness – but the elemental caught the stunned man and dragged him to lay in some nearby bushes, where he lay also to find his breath.
Electric eyes moved up toward the window where Finn had disappeared. “C'mon...”
The moment the guard was gone from the case Finn vaulted through the window, hitting the ground on all fours and creeping forward to slide the crystal case's door aside, gingerly setting the egg back in its little stand and shutting it again. "Damn it was so pretty though..." he whispered to himself, his kleptomaniac fingers itching to take the thing all over again. No- leave it! His brain snapped, glancing at the guardsman who was scratching the back of his head, peering at the shattered vase and not quite able to figure out how it had gotten that way. Finn couldn't resist blowing the henchy a kiss and shooting him a wave behind his back as he leapt back through the window, leaning over to see how it was going down on the ground. Oh- shit... Looks like Kendry had made short work of those poor morons. Well- they deserved worse. Finn still didn't feel like leaving the big guy's face quite so-...well he had been thinking 'quite so pretty', but honestly, he was ugly without any help. Finn still wanted to help though.
He dropped to the ground, forgoing the ordeal of safely climbing the distance. It was two stories up- he was pretty sure he'd fallen further than that on many occasions. He landed beside the elemental, still unable to quite figure out how, what he assumed to be a man no more than human, had made such short work of two guardsmen. "We should go," Finn stated, pausing only to give the large thug a swift kick to the face. He'd be feeling that when he woke up, and it certainly made Finneas feel a bit better, as he grabbed hold of Kendry's arm and dragged him off back the way they'd come, before anyone came to have a chat with their ape-like friends who were supposed to be manning the front door. That big guy was very likely going to hold a grudge over all this, Finn could only assume. Given the way he'd nearly throttled Kendry earlier.
The Pirate paused only when he was sure they'd be okay, leaning up against a few shipping containers that covered them from being 'right out in the open'. "You okay?" he asked the mercenary, looking his neck over after captain gorilla-man back there had strangled the poor guy. "Gods I wanted to run that oaf through," he growled, eyes like a tide flashing with a dangerous light.
"All Sins can be forgiven when somebody loves you"
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 26, 2020 17:10:48 GMT
He was partially unsure of how he made it back into the alleyway, one hand brushing against the bruises marking his neck. Maybe he didn't need Finn to “rough him up” outside of Calypso's Fury – he got a beating anyhow, but it wasn't as exhilarating coming from that oafish merc.
“Ah...hey, Finn,” he rasped, focusing on the way that Finn's eyes shifted like the tide of treacherous water. “Don't pay any mind to him – he's dead. Won't bother you anymore..." He tried to reassure his partner in crime, giving a weak thumbs up and a wink.
Pressing a hand on the back wall to steady himself, his eyes wandered up Finn's body as he stood. “Did anyone give you any trouble...?” He looked the pirate over, seeing no immediate physical harm. “Let's go. Now.” He groaned as he pushed himself away from the wall and began walking sloppily in the direction that they had come.
All Kendry wanted to do was fall over and rest, but it was too dangerous to stay near the noble's estate. He was impressed, and grateful, with how quickly Finn had executed his part of the plan. The Dread Wolf was swift, indeed. Had he taken any longer, he'd be dragging Ken's sparky, unconscious body through the streets...